UK Henry Baines (Harry), Fleetwood, missing since 1989, police suspect he was murdered.

[Pricklykitty]

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/...as-fleetwood-man-now-missing-35-years-4460844

This is an older article about Harry
https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2013-10-29/cold-case-a-murder-without-a-body

Henry Baines, known as Harry, disappeared from Fleetwood in Lancashire in 1989. Lancashire police now suspect he was murdered at some point between 17th Feb and 19th Feb 1989.

Harry was well known in the area, and was last seen at the Ships Inn pub on Warren Street. Initially treat as a missing persons case, police later upgraded it to a murder case.

Four people were arrested, and a house on Victoria street was searched using thermal imaging technology, but nothing was found and the four people were not charged.

Lancashire police say the case remains open and believe that those in the local community may have the answers about what happened to Harry.

 

[Pricklykitty]

3483DMUK - Henry Baines

 

[Brightchaser47]

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/...as-fleetwood-man-now-missing-35-years-4460844

This is an older article about Harry
https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2013-10-29/cold-case-a-murder-without-a-body

Henry Baines, known as Harry, disappeared from Fleetwood in Lancashire in 1989. Lancashire police now suspect he was murdered at some point between 17th Feb and 19th Feb 1989.

Harry was well known in the area, and was last seen at the Ships Inn pub on Warren Street. Initially treat as a missing persons case, police later upgraded it to a murder case.

Four people were arrested, and a house on Victoria street was searched using thermal imaging technology, but nothing was found and the four people were not charged.

Lancashire police say the case remains open and believe that those in the local community may have the answers about what happened to Harry.

I would agree someone local probably knows what happened. We're told Harry was 'passionate' about Snooker. Lots of people play for money. I'm wondering if
a) maybe someone lost a bet (and a wad of cash) and that someone was a sore loser who wanted their money back
b) Harry won a wad of cash and someone else coveted it.
Just a thought.
ETA: The articles only mentioned daughters. Was there a wife, ex-wife or girlfriend in the picture?

 

[sportstergirl]

Harry had a girlfriend at the time of his disappearance. He split up with his wife several years previously. He was a well known figure around Fleetwood saw him in the Queens and the Ship many times. Snooker and pool were usually played for drinks or small sums of money. Not many would play Harry for big money he was an excellent player

 

[Brightchaser47]

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/...as-fleetwood-man-now-missing-35-years-4460844

This is an older article about Harry
https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2013-10-29/cold-case-a-murder-without-a-body

Henry Baines, known as Harry, disappeared from Fleetwood in Lancashire in 1989. Lancashire police now suspect he was murdered at some point between 17th Feb and 19th Feb 1989.

Harry was well known in the area, and was last seen at the Ships Inn pub on Warren Street.

RSBM
I'm confused. He was last seen in public at Ship Inn, but disappeared from his home? So where was he actually seen last, and by whom? He was a very small-built man (5'4"). Even if he was a scrapper, a couple of thugs could've possibly cornered him. jmo

 

[Brightchaser47]

Harry had a girlfriend at the time of his disappearance. He split up with his wife several years previously.

RSBM
Was his girlfriend ever a suspect or POI?

 

[sportstergirl]

I am not 100% on it but a cellar was excavated in a girlfriends house. Don't know if it was a previous one or the one he was with at the time of his disappearance

 

[Pricklykitty]

RSBM
I'm confused. He was last seen in public at Ship Inn, but disappeared from his home? So where was he actually seen last, and by whom? He was a very small-built man (5'4"). Even if he was a scrapper, a couple of thugs could've possibly cornered him. jmo

I think, but its pretty unclear, that he was last seen in the pub, but there was evidence he had made it home through items found in his home.

 

[Brightchaser47]

I think, but its pretty unclear, that he was last seen in the pub, but there was evidence he had made it home through items found in his home.

So he
* was followed home and came to harm
OR
*came home and went out again involuntarily
OR
*came home and someone was waiting for him

Likely one of these scenarios?

 

[Pricklykitty]

So he
* was followed home and came to harm
OR
*came home and went out again involuntarily
OR
*came home and someone was waiting for him

Likely one of these scenarios?

All just total opinion here but police initially treat him as just missing, so from that I don't think there were any indications anything happened to him in his home. Later they upgraded to murder and searched the cellar of another home. Reading between the lines, Im guessing that home was of someone connected to Harry. So my guess is he voluntarily went somewhere he thought he would be safe, and was attacked there. Police seem to believe those who associated with Harry might know what happened, and I may be totally off base here, but that makes me think it sounded like a planned attack for reasons others know of. Of course the murder may not have been planned, but I feel like some sort of attack likely was. The way police say it is still talked about but no one has given them what they need to progress the case, makes me lean towards him having done something that upset someone, but again I am just giving my own opinion on that.

 

[Brightchaser47]

All just total opinion here but police initially treat him as just missing, so from that I don't think there were any indications anything happened to him in his home. Later they upgraded to murder and searched the cellar of another home. Reading between the lines, Im guessing that home was of someone connected to Harry. So my guess is he voluntarily went somewhere he thought he would be safe, and was attacked there. Police seem to believe those who associated with Harry might know what happened, and I may be totally off base here, but that makes me think it sounded like a planned attack for reasons others know of. Of course the murder may not have been planned, but I feel like some sort of attack likely was. The way police say it is still talked about but no one has given them what they need to progress the case, makes me lean towards him having done something that upset someone, but again I am just giving my own opinion on that.

I am not 100% on it but a cellar was excavated in a girlfriends house. Don't know if it was a previous one or the one he was with at the time of his disappearance

What puzzles me is that police know it's being discussed, but no particulars. Are those with knowledge of what happened protecting someone or afraid of someone (maybe someone with a criminal record wishing to avoid more jail time)? jmo

 

[Amanda73]

What puzzles me is that police know it's being discussed, but no particulars. Are those with knowledge of what happened protecting someone or afraid of someone (maybe someone with a criminal record wishing to avoid more jail time)? jmo

I’ve just come across this tonight, I am Harry’s Baines’s eldest daughter Amanda….it was 35 years on Feb 18th this year since he’s been gone & we are still no the wiser

 

[Amanda73]

RSBM
Was his girlfriend ever a suspect or POI?

His g/f was one of the 4 arrested when it became a murder investigation

 

[Amanda73]

I am not 100% on it but a cellar was excavated in a girlfriend’s house. Don't know if it was a previous one or the one he was with at the time of his disappearance

It was his g/f’s cellar

 

[Amanda73]

All just total opinion here but police initially treat him as just missing, so from that I don't think there were any indications anything happened to him in his home. Later they upgraded to murder and searched the cellar of another home. Reading between the lines, Im guessing that home was of someone connected to Harry. So my guess is he voluntarily went somewhere he thought he would be safe, and was attacked there. Police seem to believe those who associated with Harry might know what happened, and I may be totally off base here, but that makes me think it sounded like a planned attack for reasons others know of. Of course the murder may not have been planned, but I feel like some sort of attack likely was. The way police say it is still talked about but no one has given them what they need to progress the case, makes me lean towards him having done something that upset someone, but again I am just giving my own opinion on that.

They didn’t initially treat my Dad as missing because it was back in 1989, & he was allegedly of sane mind etc. It would have been treated very differently if he were to go missing now, unfortunately that is how it was back then!

 

[Brightchaser47]

His g/f was one of the 4 arrested when it became a murder investigation

It was his g/f’s cellar

I'm curious as to how police were able to consider the girlfriend a murder suspect and dig up her cellar, then crickets. Was there circumstantial evidence that implicated her? And what of the other 3 individuals?

 

[Amanda73]

I'm curious as to how police were able to consider the girlfriend a murder suspect and dig up her cellar, then crickets. Was there circumstantial evidence that implicated her? And what of the other 3 individuals?

My Dad left all of his belongings behind & they had allegedly argued prior to him disappearing….however, there are other suspects who have never been disclosed though, the other 3 arrested……..were the lodger in their house, his gf’s brother & his wife

 

[sportstergirl]

Amanda 73, I hope the guilty ones are brought to justice & you find closure. Your Dad was a popular & well liked man. I lived in Fleetwood from 1957-86 & often saw him around the town

 

[Amanda73]

All just total opinion here but police initially treat him as just missing, so from that I don't think there were any indications anything happened to him in his home. Later they upgraded to murder and searched the cellar of another home. Reading between the lines, Im guessing that home was of someone connected to Harry. So my guess is he voluntarily went somewhere he thought he would be safe, and was attacked there. Police seem to believe those who associated with Harry might know what happened, and I may be totally off base here, but that makes me think it sounded like a planned attack for reasons others know of. Of course the murder may not have been planned, but I feel like some sort of attack likely was. The way police say it is still talked about but no one has given them what they need to progress the case, makes me lean towards him having done something that upset someone, but again I am just giving my own opinion on that.

All just total opinion here but police initially treat him as just missing, so from that I don't think there were any indications anything happened to him in his home. Later they upgraded to murder and searched the cellar of another home. Reading between the lines, Im guessing that home was of someone connected to Harry. So my guess is he voluntarily went somewhere he thought he would be safe, and was attacked there. Police seem to believe those who associated with Harry might know what happened, and I may be totally off base here, but that makes me think it sounded like a planned attack for reasons others know of. Of course the murder may not have been planned, but I feel like some sort of attack likely was. The way police say it is still talked about but no one has given them what they need to progress the case, makes me lean towards him having done something that upset someone, but again I am just giving my own opinion on that.

The cellar searched was in his home & he didn’t upset anyone

 

[Amanda73]

Amanda 73, I hope the guilty ones are brought to justice & you find closure. Your Dad was a popular & well liked man. I lived in Fleetwood from 1957-86 & often saw him around the town

Thank you…I do believe that the person that did this has passed away…he was really well-liked. I’ve tried to come to terms with it but unless they find a body I don’t think I’ll ever have the closure..it means a lot that you’ve messaged x